Can I get a new job while on maternity leave?

[Jinglejanglefish]

I started mat leave in September last year, receiving only SMP. The last payment of SMP will be in July, but technically maternity leave doesn't finish until september. We're moving to a new area in August and I have resigned from my current employer. All fine.

However, I have just seen a job ad for a part time, home based role which would be ideal. Can I apply and (if I got it) start before my maternity leave has officially ended?

I have googled btw and am not getting very clean answers.

Tia

You can end your mat leave early to start a new job. I don't think you could get SMP after starting a new job though.

Your “maternity leave” will finish when your contract with your current employer ends (at the end of your notice period).

NotANewUser2

Yes? I said in my OP that it ends in September.

You can end it earlier by giving your contractual notice.

Following as I'm in the same position. Mat leave ends in September, handed in my notice a couple of weeks ago, giving 4 weeks notice. So in 2 weeks, I'm officially unemployed and can find other work right? I hope this is right!

If you're being paid either by an employer or SMP, another part time job will count as a second job and you'll be taxed accordingly. You only have to take two weeks off after the birth (four if you work in a factory) and after that when you go back to work is up to you. When is your last day with your current employer?

@SheeshKebab you're right - in two weeks you'll be officially off their books and able to start a new job 😊

I am not actually sure when the last day is. My manager asked me to let her know this term whether I'd be going back or not (have a term time job) so I have told her I won't be. If I had be returning, mat leave would've finished 9th September. I think it is only a half terms notice for support staff, so i could end my employment next week, but I still get SMP until July.

@grincheux ah thank you!

I think you need to be employed by your employer to get SMP, otherwise you'll only qualify for maternity allowance.

What is the effective date of your resignation? It depends on your contract but usually you cannot start a new job until after the effective date of your resignation from your old job. I’d also check SMP rules, as if you started earning prior to your last SMP payment, you might not be entitled to the remainder of SMP

I'm not sure of the date, I can check with my manager I guess. This is purely hypothetical as I haven't applied for the job yet and would likely not get it anyway!

If you start work for a new employer SMP stops. Whether you are allowed to start working for a new employer while serving your notice will depend on the terms of your contract. If you’re serving notice on maternity leave it is fairly likely your employer will either be prepared to waive any such rules, or may release you early.

Agree with PP. Pretend you're not on mat leave but working as normal, you can leave whenever you would b web able to then

I did this. Due back early June. Interviewed in Feb and offered the job. By the time checks all done it was early March. Luckily I was on a three month notice period so I handed notice in then started new job on time, just as if I'd been working all the time. Mat leaee shouldn't make a difference.

Money stuff may make a difference, but if you're on SMP probably not. If your new job can wait then I'd b Ed inclined to start there in Sep, so hand your notice in whenever works for that, unless you've already handed in?

Yes as above, your maternity leave date will be changed to end when your new job starts.

Thanks that's really helpful. I've only got two months of SMP left so hopefully I could delay any start until that's done.